Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Simulator
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
- Developers: Blue Ribbon
- Publishers: Blue Ribbon
Bar Billiards (1985)
Bar Billiards is a billiards-themed arcade game released in 1985 by Namco. It is a simple but addictive game that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. The objective of the game is to pocket all of your balls before your opponent pockets all of theirs.
The game is played on a standard pool table with 16 balls: 7 solid-colored balls, 7 striped balls, and a black ball. Each player controls a white cue ball and takes turns shooting at the other player’s balls. Players can use a variety of shots to pocket balls, including straight shots, bank shots, and jump shots.
Bar Billiards is a fast-paced and exciting game that requires both skill and strategy. Players must be able to accurately aim their shots and predict the path of the balls. They must also be able to adapt to the changing layout of the table as balls are pocketed.
Bar Billiards was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the most popular arcade games of the 1980s, and it has remained popular with retro gamers to this day. The game has been ported to a variety of home platforms, including the NES, SNES, and PlayStation.
Gameplay
Bar Billiards is played on a standard pool table with 16 balls: 7 solid-colored balls, 7 striped balls, and a black ball. Each player controls a white cue ball and takes turns shooting at the other player’s balls.
Players can use a variety of shots to pocket balls, including:
- Straight shots: A straight shot is a shot where the cue ball hits the target ball directly.
- Bank shots: A bank shot is a shot where the cue ball hits a rail before hitting the target ball.
- Jump shots: A jump shot is a shot where the cue ball jumps over another ball before hitting the target ball.
Players can also use a variety of spins on their shots to control the path of the cue ball. For example, a player can put topspin on the cue ball to make it jump over a ball, or backspin to make it roll back after hitting the target ball.
The first player to pocket all of their balls wins the game. If both players pocket all of their balls at the same time, the game is a tie.
Strategy
There are a few basic strategies that players can use to improve their chances of winning at Bar Billiards:
- Control the table: The player who controls the table is the player who has the best chance of winning. This means being able to position the cue ball and the target ball in a way that gives you the best chance of pocketing the target ball.
- Think ahead: It is important to think ahead when playing Bar Billiards. This means being able to predict the path of the balls and the possible outcomes of your shots.
- Be aggressive: The best way to win at Bar Billiards is to be aggressive. This means taking risks and going for shots that you might not make. However, it is important to be careful not to be too aggressive, as this can lead to mistakes.
Legacy
Bar Billiards is a classic arcade game that has stood the test of time. It is a simple but addictive game that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. The game has been ported to a variety of home platforms, and it remains popular with retro gamers to this day.
Bar Billiards has also had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s simple but effective gameplay has been imitated by many other billiards games, and its fast-paced and exciting action has inspired a number of other arcade games.
Conclusion
Bar Billiards is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, combined with its fast-paced and exciting action, make it a must-play for any fan of billiards games.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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